Commissioner's update for correctional employees: October 14, 2025
This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff from CSC's Commissioner.
Our mission: The Correctional Service of Canada, as part of the criminal justice system and respecting the rule of law, contributes to public safety by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.
Our core values: Respect, fairness, professionalism, inclusiveness, and accountability.
I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving weekend. I would also like to thank all of our staff who worked through the long weekend. I am grateful for your work, each and every day, in service to Canadians.
UN Trailblazer Award
Last week, our Deputy Commissioner for Women, Amy Jarrette, represented CSC at events hosted by the United Nations to celebrate the UN Trailblazer Award, in New York. This award, dedicated to Women Justice and Corrections Officers, highlights the exceptional leadership in some of the world’s most complex peacekeeping and correctional environments.
Amy met with senior officials from around the world to discuss ways we can advance work on human rights and strengthen our commitment to transforming systems and communities. She also shared some insightful words during a side event on the importance of gender-responsive leadership, a priority for CSC. Thank you, Amy, for leading by example and representing CSC and the Government of Canada.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, this is an important reminder that women bring essential and diverse perspectives to conflict resolution, crisis response, and institutional reform. It is our responsibility to recognize and support their contributions and foster environments that promote healing, accountability, and rehabilitation.
International Conflict Resolution Day
October 16 marks International Conflict Resolution Day, a global initiative to promote peaceful and constructive approaches to resolving conflict. This year’s theme, “Change and Conflict: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities,” invites us to reflect on how we navigate change with empathy, courage, and hope.
Changes can bring uncertainty and conflict may arise, not because we resist it, but because we care deeply about our contributions and the values we serve. Conflict in times of change is common—and can be constructive. It can also lead to stronger collaboration, deeper understanding, and improved well-being when managed effectively.
If you’re experiencing conflict or simply need support, the Office of Informal Conflict Resolution (OICR) is here to help. Their confidential services offer guidance, a listening ear, and tools to navigate challenges with clarity and compassion. To learn more about the OICR, visit:
- Informal conflict resolution (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
Correctional training with the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services
CSC is proud to support international collaboration in correctional training. In partnership with the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services(BDCS), we recently delivered Parole Officer Induction Training (POIT) and Train-the-Trainer (T4T) programming to BDCS staff. This initiative highlights our commitment to sharing expertise and building capacity across borders.
I would like to thank the Ontario and Nunavut Region for hosting the sessions, as well as Learning and Development for their vital role in supporting this initiative. A special thanks to the facilitators, Leslie Ottenhof and Pam Clair, who represented CSC and led the training and support for the BDCS staff.
Telling our Story and Visit to the Prairie Region
A few members of our communications team recently visited Grand Cache, Edmonton, Bowden and Drumheller institutions to film videos in order to tell your stories and promote awareness of the important and hard work you do. Over the past year, our communications team has been working their way to different regions, and also doing virtual interviews, to capture the positive stories of CSC, which we have so many of!
As I have said, showcasing the hard work of our staff across the country is part of our commitments following the Culture Audit and internal communications survey. In those, we heard that you wanted to learn about the real stories and experiences of your colleagues. In addition to contributing to a sense of pride and belonging internally, sharing what we do with Canadians increases transparency and trust in our organization.
Thank you to all the staff who participated and took time out of their busy schedules to participate in these projects.
Follow us on social media for a front-row seat to view the videos and podcasts being issued about the work you and your colleagues do every day.
Thank you for your continued commitment and hard work.
Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.